PriDe aNd PrEjuDicE

Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 British romance film directed by Joe Wright and based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name. The film depicts five sisters living in the English society of the landed gentry as they deal with issues of marriage, morality, and misconceptions. Keira Knightley stars in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennet, while Matthew Macfadyen plays her romantic interest Mr. Darcy. Co-stars include Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, and Judi Dench. Produced by Working Title Films in association with StudioCanal, the film was released on 16 September 2005 in the United Kingdom and on 11 November in the United States. Screenwriter Deborah Moggach attempted to make her early script as faithful to the novel as possible, particularly with the characters' dialogue. Wright, who had never directed a feature film before, was hired on for a fresh perspective. He encouraged a greater number of deviations in the story, including changing the dynamics and dialogue of the Bennet family. Wright and Moggach set the film in an earlier time period and avoided depicting a "perfectly clean Regency world," presenting instead a "muddy hem version" of Longbourn, the Bennet estate. Pride & Prejudice was shot entirely on location in England during an 11-week film schedule. The filmmakers found the casting process difficult due to past iconic performances of particular characters, particularly in the popular 1995 BBC adaptation. They had to balance who they thought was best for each role with the studio's desire for big name attractions. In addition, Pride & Prejudice marked the film débuts of actresses Talulah Riley, Carey Mulligan, and Tamzin Merchant. Film themes emphasise realism, romanticism, and family. It was marketed to a younger, mainstream audience, with promotional items first noting it came "from the producers of Bridget Jones's Diary" before acknowledging it was based on an Austen novel. After its theatrical release, Pride & Prejudice ultimately earned a worldwide gross of approximately $121 million, which was considered a commercial success. Film critics compared the 2005 film to the 1995 adaptation, and believed the latter was the superior of the two. Despite this, Pride & Prejudice has earned a rating of 82 percent by review aggregator Metacritic, indicating it as universally acclaimed. The film began the first of four collaborations Wright has had with Working Title Films; he has also hired many of the same cast and crew for his later directional endeavours.

plOt... During the late 18th century, the Bennet family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters—Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia—live in comparative financial independence as gentry on a working farm in rural England. As Longbourn is destined to be inherited by Mr. Bennet's cousin, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet is anxious to marry off her five daughters before Mr. Bennet dies. Wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley has recently moved into Netherfield, a large house in the neighbourhood. He is introduced to local society at an assembly ball, along with his haughty sister, Caroline, and reserved friend, Mr. Darcy, who "owns half of Derbyshire." Bingley is enchanted with the gentle and beautiful Jane, while Elizabeth takes an instant dislike to Darcy after he coldly rebuffs her attempts at conversation and she overhears him insult her. When Jane becomes sick on a visit to Netherfield, Elizabeth goes to stay with her, and verbally spars with Caroline and Darcy. Later the Bennets are visited by their cousin, Mr. Collins, a pompous minister who talks of nothing but his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Collins soon decides to pursue Elizabeth as his future wife. Meanwhile, the handsome and charming Lieutenant Wickham of the newly-arrived militia captures the girls' attention; he tells Elizabeth that Darcy cheated him of his inheritance. At a ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth, startled by Darcy's abrupt appearance and request, accepts a dance with him, but vows to her best friend Charlotte Lucas that she has "sworn to loathe him for all eternity." During the dance, she attacks him with witty sarcasm, and Darcy responds in kind. At the same ball, Charlotte expresses concern to Elizabeth that Jane's behaviour to Mr. Bingley is too reserved and that Bingley may not realise she loves him. The next day, at Longbourn, Collins proposes to Elizabeth but she refuses. When Bingley unexpectedly returns to London, Elizabeth dispatches a heartbroken Jane to their aunt and uncle in London, the Gardiners, in hopes of re-establishing contact between Jane and Bingley. Later, Elizabeth is appalled to learn that Charlotte will marry Collins to gain financial security and avoid becoming a spinster. Months later, Elizabeth visits the newly-wed Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Rosings, the manor estate of the overbearing Lady Catherine; they are invited to dine at Rosings and there meet Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine's nephews. Here Darcy shows a greater interest in Elizabeth, especially when she replies to Lady Catherine's jabs with spirited wit. The next day, Colonel Fitzwilliam lets slip to Elizabeth that Darcy separated Bingley from Jane. Distraught, she flees outside but Darcy chooses that moment to track her down and propose marriage. He claims that he loves her "most ardently," despite her "lower rank." Elizabeth refuses him, citing his treatment of Jane and Bingley, and of Wickham; they argue fiercely, with Darcy explaining that he had been convinced that Jane did not return Bingley's love. Darcy leaves angry and heartbroken. He finds her later and presents her with a letter, which exposes Wickham as a gambler who demanded and received cash in lieu of the position intended for him by Darcy's father. It is further revealed that upon being refused more money, Wickham attempted to elope with Darcy's 15-year-old sister, Georgiana, in order to obtain her £30,000 inheritance, but abandoned her upon learning that he would never receive any of the money. Later, the Gardiners take Elizabeth on a trip to the Peak District and visit Darcy's estate, Pemberley. Elizabeth is stunned by its wealth and beauty and hears nothing but good things about Darcy from his housekeeper. There, she accidentally runs into Darcy, who invites her and the Gardiners to meet his sister. His manners have softened considerably, and Georgiana takes an instant liking to Elizabeth. When Elizabeth learns that her immature and flirtatious youngest sister Lydia has run away with Wickham, she tearfully blurts out the news to Darcy and the Gardiners before returning home. Her family assumes their social ruin for having a disgraced daughter, but they are soon relieved to hear that Mr. Gardiner has discovered the pair in London, and that they have been married. Lydia later reveals to Elizabeth that it was Darcy who found them and who paid for the marriage. When Bingley and Darcy return to Netherfield, Jane accepts Bingley's proposal of marriage. The same evening, Lady Catherine unexpectedly visits Elizabeth and insists that she renounce Darcy, as he is supposedly engaged to her own daughter, Anne. Elizabeth refuses, and unable to sleep, she goes walking on the moors at dawn. There, she meets Darcy, who has also been unable to sleep after hearing of his aunt's behaviour. He admits his continued love, and Elizabeth accepts his second proposal. Mr. Bennet gives his consent after Elizabeth assures him of her love for Darcy. In the U.S. release of the film, an additional last scene shows a newly-married Elizabeth and Darcy outside of their Pemberley estate showing affection for each other.